Dominic Calvert-Lewin believes being a Yorkshireman has helped him to understand what is required in his role up top at Leeds United.

The Whites' no. 9 is away from Thorp Arch this week on England duty, ahead of Nations League games against Croatia and Spain. It's his second call up under boss Thomas Tuchel and comes after an impressive start to the season with Leeds. Calvert-Lewin has five goals in 12 games and has continued to provide a platform for his team-mates. His dominance in the air marks him out as elite not just as an Englishman but among his Premier League peers.

According to data specialists Gradient Sports, Calvert-Lewin has contested more aerial duels than any other player in the league this season [177], and won the most too [70]. He ranks first in the division among forwards for aerial duels won above expectation, which means he's beating defenders in situations where you wouldn't ordinarily back a striker. Gradient also rank him fifth for shooting under pressure and fourth when it comes to forwards doing work without the ball.

Work ethic is key when you're playing for Leeds United. "I grew up an hour away in Sheffield and being a Yorkshireman myself I found it easier to settle into the culture and its history," he said.

"And then in joining, you learn so much more and what it means to represent the club. The fans and the people, the way they are, they want to see a reflection of themselves when they're watching you on the football pitch. And it's something that I resonate with well. My qualities lend themselves to that and it's something I thoroughly enjoy, that expectation. The work ethic. I think giving your all is a bare minimum. From my role, being physical with a bit of quality as well, I think that's what they expect from their no. 9."

What Calvert-Lewin is delivering at club level makes him a difficult man to ignore for Tuchel, and the move to Leeds has played an obvious role in the striker's return to the international scene.

"I've been asked this question a lot and I think because I've played the majority of my career in the Premier League, people have seen my development from boy to man," he said.

"It's very difficult to maintain - maybe a handful of players can maintain outstanding levels of performance season to season - and I've had fair share of setbacks which everyone has been aware of. So for me, I knew that a change of environment was what I needed almost 18 months ago in joining Leeds United.

"When I spoke to the club, I knew it was the right place for me and the right place to reignite my career. So I think in times of hardship, I just never stopped believing that I would get back to this level and I knew my capabilities and qualities on the pitch. And it's more about the habits that I have every day and the small things you do every day which ultimately led me to being here talking to you guys now."

And Calvert-Lewin credits his club boss for giving him the right 'environment' to succeed again in the top flight. "Daniel's been very important from the first time I spoke to him," he said.

"He called me and again it was a big one for me in the way that he spoke made me want join Leeds United. He's created an environment for me that I was comfortable in. You could say he's put an arm round me, which I needed and the club has reaped the rewards."